Overview

Year 1

You will gain skills in the basics of news writing and reporting for newspapers, digital platforms and in broadcasting; and an awareness of legal and institutional political frameworks within which journalists operate. Stage 1 introduces you to a range of theoretical concepts such as representation and allows you to develop professional skills in team-working.

Year 2

You will build upon their news gathering, editing and technical skills. Deeper theoretical understanding is developed around news values and discourses. You are introduced to new practical skills in web design and are asked to work on ‘live’ client specific projects.

Year 3

This year includes a taught route or you can elect to take a role within a media organisation for 6 or 12 weeks. This allows you to have first hand experience of the communication industries and to develop a portfolio of published work. The taught classes prepare you for their final year dissertation including how to identify and analyse Literature.

Year 4

The Final Year of study is at a higher theoretical level with modules on specialist aspects of the field of study. You work with a supervisor to develop a research project on a topic of their choice. The Investigative Journalism project entails a practical project either individually or as a team. You acquire skills in research, analysis and synthesising data to specified deadlines. 

 

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Modules

Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes.

The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information. 

Full-time

Year 1 -- Semester 1

The Media Business

Visual Culture and Design

News Writing

Semester 2

Governing The UK

Introduction To Media Law

Broadcast Journalism and Production

Year 2 -- Semester 1

Features Writing

Principles And Practice Of Reporting

Media Semiotics And Discourse

Semester 2

Public Relations

Web Design

Media Production Project

Year 3 -- Semester 1

Route A - Taught route

Media History

Advanced Law For Journalists

Applied News Production

Political Participation and Pressure Groups in an Age of Global Politics

Route B - Study Abroad Route

Study Abroad 7

Study Abroad 8

Study Abroad 6

Study Abroad 5

Route C - Placement route for students undertaking study abroad in Semester 2

Professional Practice (12 week)

Choose 1 option module from the following group:

Advanced Law For Journalists

Political Participation and Pressure Groups in an Age of Global Politics

Semester 2

Route A - Taught route with an option for a short placement

Magazine Journalism

Creative Industries Theory And Practice

Route B - Study Abroad Route

Study Abroad 9

Study Abroad 12

Study Abroad 10

Study Abroad 11

Route C - Full Semester Placement

Professional Practice (12 week)

Choose 1 option module from the following group:

Creative Industries Theory And Practice

Professional Practice (6 week)

Year 4 -- Semester 1

Research Methods

Investigative Journalism

Choose 2 option modules from the following group:

Postmodern Culture

Media Strategy

Celebrity Culture

Digital Journalism In Practice

Semester 2

Research Project

Investigative Journalism

Choose 1 option module from the following group:

Political Communication

Women And The Media

The course is delivered by a mixture of academic and practical instruction. Academic modules are typically delivered by a one hour lecture followed by a seminar where you can discuss or apply the thinking to relevant tasks. This may involve analysing texts, role-playing, giving oral presentations. The practical classes will involve sourcing stories, conducting interviews, filming, editing and participating in News Days. Investigative journalism will involve independent research, team work, and pitching stories in editorial meetings in real ‘live’ mentoring sessions in industry.

Shorthand tuition is highly recommended but not compulsory. The tuition is added to your timetable. Fees for the shorthand are in addition to course fees and are paid direct to our partner provider NESCOL.

Year 4 activity summary

Lectures

• Approximately 22 students per group
• 4 hours per week

Seminars

• Approximately 22 students per group
• 8 hours per week

Tutorials

• Approximately 22 students per group
• 0.5 hour per week

Project Supervision

• Approximately 22 students per group
• 0.5 hour per week

External Visits

• Varies in number of students
• 1 per semester

Independent study summary

You work independently on your Research Methods proposal, Research Project and Investigative Journalism pieces. This entails extensive research in terms of reading, data collection, writing and editing. Typically, this may involve the creation of a vlog, radio or TV package. This may entail travel to interview participants both domestically and internationally and on creative design aspects eg subtitling. A minimum of 36 hours study per semester is expected though many students dedicate 100s of hours of study to perfect their projects.

Staff delivering this course

Our Staff feature in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

This course is delivered by a core team and draws upon expertise from across the University. The team includes staff holding PhDs in Media Politics, the Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching, staff with practical industry experience and a national committee member of the NCTJ. Colleagues in Aberdeen Business School and the Law School also have input to this course along with Visiting Professors, Honorary Doctoral professionals and librarians.

Facilities

• Hi-tech TV and Radio Studios
• Digital Suite
• Specialist Mac Suite

How you are assessed

Typically students are assessed each semester:

• Written Exam
• Written Assignment, including essay
• Report
• Dissertation
• Practical skills assessment
• Portfolio
• Group critique

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Disability & Dyslexia Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic Writing
• Study Skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths And Statistics
• English Language
• Information Technology Support

More on Study Support

SQA Higher: ABBB to include English.

GCE A Level: BBC to include English.

Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H2H2H3 to include English at H2.

IB Diploma: 29 to include Higher Level English at grade 5.

Alternative Qualifications: We welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications to those stated, including SVQs/NVQs, access programmes and overseas qualifications. Applications from students with non-standard qualifications or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Advanced Entry: Applicants who are interested in applying for advanced entry will be considered on an individual basis.

English Language

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

English Language requirements

* All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. A small number of courses require higher levels, but this will be stated explicitly on your offer letter.

A 6 week or 12 week optional unpaid placement is included. Previous students have gone on placement in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London.

We have a dedicated Placement Manager and an extensive network of contacts in industry across TV, Radio, Digital and Press. You will be allocated a supervisor from the team who will visit and contact you during your placement and provide advice on writing your final report.

The placements are normally unpaid but some employers pay a minimum fee and/or expenses.

More on placements

If you are a Scottish resident or EU national you are not liable to pay fees and should apply to SAAS for funding.

Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website:

• Student Finance England
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance NI

Scholarships

• Information on Information, Communication & Media Scholarships

Disclaimer

Course fees are reviewed periodically and so are subject to change for new applicants. All tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in your offer letter. You will also be liable to pay a graduation fee of £40 before receiving a University award.

For further information see Student Finance pages

 

Information for Undergraduate Applicants

Terms and Conditions of Admissions

The Terms and Conditions of Admission describe to applicants holding an offer of a place to study at RGU, the principal rights, duties and obligations of both the applicant and the University prior to enrolling on a course of study.

Terms and Conditions of Admissions (PDF 142KB)

The department has extensive links with the media industries, and graduates will secure careers in print, publishing, broadcast and online journalism. Opportunities for employment also exist in fields such as public relations and media management.

The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:

• Shorthand tuition:
  • £245 Year 1
  • £144 Year 2-3

• The cost of books that you may wish to purchase. Find your reading list by module.
• Costs associated with your placement / study abroad
• Accommodation and living costs
• Printing

Other Fees and Charges